Exploring the Nature and Status of Guidance Services in Government Secondary Schools for Boys in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

This study was conducted with the objective to explore the nature of guidance services, by probing into the facilities available for these services, in secondary schools of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The research was driven by the purpose to provide firsthand information to the stakeholders and to submit feasible strategies for promotion of guidance services in these schools. The target population was all the secondary school teachers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. For sampling, two-stage cluster sampling technique was used. Resultantly, a sample of 992 teachers was drawn from male secondary schools of Mardan, Peshawar and Swabi districts. Data was collected through self-developed questionnaire and analyzed through SPSS for chi-square test results. On the basis of results and findings, the conclusions were drawn that the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has not done much to facilitate guidance services in the schools. No facilities in shape of infrastructure and financial assistance were affirmed for realization of guidance services in the schools. Similarly, neither there were cohesive referral services nor any counseling/guidance individuals were reported serving in these schools. Hence, on the basis of conclusions, it is recommended that the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should practically establish organized guidance and counseling services in the schools and should appoint professional counselors for this purpose. If at the moment, it is not possible due to some restraints than it is recommended that, at least, some motivated teachers should be trained to guide the students. Additionally, referral services should be arranged so that the guidance teachers may refer students with acute problems to the recognized quarter.

Keywords: guidance services in secondary schools; facilities for guidance services; referral services; secondary school students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa